50 years ago: Annual garden party draws crowds

In the Jan. 5, 1966 edition of the Caymanian Weekly, a precursor of the Cayman Compass, Bodden Town correspondent Arthur Hunter wrote:

“On New Year’s Day, the annual Garden Party of the United Church at Bodden Town (formerly Presbyterian) took place at the Manse. The attendance was as usual, very large. Many not only from this community, but also from other parts of the island availed themselves of the opportunity of partaking tasty native meals. Entertainment was provided for young and old, one of the main features being the selection of ‘Miss Popularity 1966.’ From a field of five contestants the winner was Miss Aileen Bodden. The runner-up was Miss Janice Watler, ‘Miss Popularity 1965.’

“The day’s festivities terminated at the Town Hall with the presentation of the comedy ‘Aaron Slick from Pumpkin Crick,’ directed by Miss Evelyn Wood with a cast selected from Bodden Town’s most noted actors and actresses. The entire cast performed with distinction and kept the packed Town Hall in fits of laughter from start to finish.

“On Saturday night last, Mr. Marcey Powell of this Town was involved in a motor accident with a straying cow along the main Public Road at Savannah. Straying cattle have from time to time been the cause of many accidents along our roads, particularly in the area between Bodden Town and Savannah.

“The law in relation to straying cattle in these islands follows the Common Law of England which offers no redress to the drivers of vehicles damaged as a result of their presence on the road, in the absence of negligence.

“Negligence is invariably difficult if not impossible to establish. This is an unfortunate state of affairs, aggravated by some cattle owners who take inadequate steps to keep their beasts off the road, particularly at night.

“Surely car owners who are forced to pay heavy taxes and insurance for the right to use the public roads are entitled to some protection. Let us hope that our Legislators will, this year, take positive action in this regard.”